NASA delays launch of Dawn probe to explore solar system

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2007

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US space agency on Friday delayed by 24 hours until Monday the launch of its spacecraft Dawn due to set off on an eight-year mission to unlock the mysteries of the origins of our solar system.

"The delay was prompted by difficulties with an aircraft that would gather data signals from the rocket during launch, and the availability of a tracking ship," NASA said on its website.

The window for launching the unmanned craft would now be between 3:56 pm (1956 GMT) to 4:26 pm (2026 GMT) on Monday, July 9, the agency said.

Dawn had been due to launch into space on Sunday on a voyage to examine two massive asteroids.

NASA scientists said there were also concerns that fuel loading would not be completed in time on Friday at the Cape...